9 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

Introducing the concept of interactive video games to his popular inhabitants of Xanth, the prolific Anthony adds number 16 to the series. Dug Edsel, bored with traditional graphics, wagers his girlfriend against his friend's motorcycle that no game can keep his interest for more than an hour. It's a bet Dug loses gladly when he's drawn into the "Companions of Xanth" game, is allowed to choose the luscious Princess Nada Naga as a traveling companion, and finds that he can actually enter the adventure by refocusing his eyes and eliminating his disbelief. False companions and a competing player complicate matters for Dug (who obviously hasn't read the rest of the series and has no concept of how Xanth works). Anthony loads the story with elaborate puns, wild adventure, and quirky characters and sneaks in his customary jab at critics. Xanth fans will be waiting in line.

The demons X(an)th and E(ar)th are battling for possesion of Xanth, using surrogates - Mundane humans who think that they are playing a video game. Nada Naga and Jenny Elf & Sammy Cat are their helpful Companions for the duration of the game, but who is the "false companion" who, if they have their way, will doom X(an)th to be without magic like Mundania?

Cute. My personal favorites in this series are A Spell for Chameleon, The Color of Her Panties, and Dragon on a Pedestal.

Even if you have never read another of Anthony's Xanth series, you can read and enjoy this one...Two young people are pulled into the magical, zany world of Xanth through playing a computer game- and have to win to ensure the future of Xanth, as well as Earth. It's full of silly, colorful characters, and a rich and entertaining world.